Age of Evil are a Solid Young Band Who Bring Back a Traditional Metal Sound

Age of Evil is a young metal band from Scottsdale, Arizona whose lineup is comprised of two brother teams — singer/rhythm guitarist Jeremy Goldberg (age 19) and bassist Jacob Goldberg (18), and lead guitarist Jordan Ziff (18) and drummer Garrett Ziff (20). Their 2007 debut album, Living a Sick Dream, had a powerful likeness to traditional metal. Their new six-track EP, Get Dead (released November 17th), has that same energy. And, perhaps it has something to do with the band including two 80s metal covers — Judas Priest's "Electric Eye" and Skid Row's "Slave to the Grind" — that the EP seems to have even more of that traditional metal vibe than the debut.

Powerline A.D. spoke to Jeremy and Jordan in NYC a day before the release of Get Dead.

Powerline A.D.: Age of Evil was originally called Mortuary Tribute. ...
Jeremy Goldberg: Yes. Yes, you did your homework.
Powerline A.D.: Why did you change that name?
Jordan Ziff: First off, the other name was stupid. Second off, we didn’t think of it (Mortuary Tribute). It was our old singer that thought of it.
Jeremy: We needed a change. We needed something stronger, obviously, and something that represented us. And we were recording our first CD (Living a Sick Dream)before we were Age of Evil. We came up with the name in January, and released that CD in February 2007.

Powerline A.D.: How did you come up with Age of Evil? It sounds like a vintage horror movie.
Jeremy: Jacob came up with the name. You know, coming up with names … we busted our ass. Writing everything down that could possibly be something …
Powerline A.D.: ...searching the internet … ?
Jeremy: ... we were doing everything. And Jacob narrowed it down and Age of Evil stuck with us …
Jordan: The world’s always been in an “age of evil.” We’ll change our name once the world stops being so stupid.
Jeremy: Yeah, how ‘bout that? Which means we’ll probably stay Age of Evil forever.

Powerline A.D.: You brand your band “a.o.e.” in your logo.
Jeremy: When we came up with the name, it was very important to us that we brand ourselves. When you think of the Rolling Stones, you think of the tongue. When you think of Van Halen, the wings. You have to have something like that if you want to be one of those iconic bands. You can also flip it (a.o.e.) and it’s the same thing upside down.

Powerline A.D.: You ever think of using just the acronym for the band’s name?
Jeremy: Yeah, and a.o.e. is a good chant when you’re just about to go onstage.
Jordon: I think eventually, we will be.
Jeremy: Yeah, who knows. Maybe in the future, we will be known as just a.o.e.
Jordon: In fact, I would like it to be that way.

Powerline A.D.: Why release only an EP now? Why not a full-length?
Jeremy: Well, it’s a little tricky but here’s the main thing: We wanted to show our fans how we evolved from the first album; what we sound like currently; and the direction someone may see us going in. We wanted to show a sneak review of two new songs. Wanted to give ourselves credibility. And we wanted to give a more fun perspective on the EP with some cover songs. And give a taste of what we sound like live.

Powerline A.D.: I think it also shows your love for traditional metal.
Jeremy: Of course, yeah.

Powerline A.D.: Traditional metal is kind of coming around again.
Jeremy: It is. I think metal goes in cycles. And I think things like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are helping a younger generation get back into it. It’s nice to see. And we’re not playing metal because of its surge back. We’re playing it, because that’s the kind of music we like. We’d be playing this kind of traditional metal regardless of where we are, whether 30 years ago or 30 years from now.

Powerline A.D.: How did you come to choose the Priest song, “Electric Eye”?
Jeremy: We were playing London a year ago and we wanted to play a song that would be recognized — we knew that no one there really knew who we were – and what better song to play in London than a Priest song? We wrapped a up the show with a Priest song that they could sing along to. And we always thought it would be a good song to record, especially with our guitar tone.

Powerline A.D.: What’s kind of interesting is the band is made up of two groups of brothers. Did you all grow up listening to the same music?
Jordon: We’ve known each other since we were three or four, and we were always hanging out. Everywhere we went it was like ‘them four.’ And then we thought ‘what do we do when we’re older so we don’t have to get real jobs?’

Powerline A.D.: It’s pretty impressive that you’ve already toured Europe .. for a band so young. I mean, you’ve toured there four times already.
Jeremy: Yeah, strangely, since we’re Americans, I would say we conquered Europe more than our own country.

Powerline A.D.: Did you find Europe and its music fans to be a culture shock when you first toured there?
Jeremy: Yes, when you turn on the radio there you’re pretty much gonna hear rock and roll/metal. When you go to a concert, it’s pretty much going to be a rock or metal concert. And it’s part of their lives there. It’s infused in them or something. Totally different. The fans were awesome. You can tell they had a true love for the music.

Powerline A.D.: Are you planning a tour now?
Jeremy: That’s what we’re planning on. That’s the most important thing for us right now.
Powerline A.D.: So, that means Europe again?
Jeremy: Not necessarily. We’re shooting for the U.S. We’re targeting the U.S.
Jordon: We would like to do both. But whatever comes up will seem right at the time.

Powerline A.D.: I’ve heard you already have another album in the can. Is that true?
Jordon: It’s not quite “in the can.” It’s basically songs and pieces of songs. Enough material for an album. I guess I write most of the music. Jeremy will write music, I put my input in. Jacob will bring things here and there. But everyone pretty much writes the lyrics except for me. I do like phrasing them with melody but ...

Powerline A.D.: So, who is the main lyricist?
Jeremy: Me and my brother.
Powerline A.D.: Some of the lyrics on this EP remind me of when Iron Maiden wrote horror-type lyrics in the first person.
Jeremy: The lyrics (on the EP) do add entertainment value. The newer stuff we are writing now... a lot of the lyrics are more meaningful to me, personally.

Powerline A.D.: Where do you see the band in five years? Would you be happy if you just made a living off of this?
Jeremy: No. We have nothing but high expectations because if you set your goals low, that’s what you’re gonna be. If you don’t strive for something big than what’s the point. Our goal overall is to just stand the test of time. Not be forgotten. Obviously to inspire people.

Website: http://www.ageofevil.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ageofevil
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Age-Of-Evil/20243877974?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ageofevil
AOE Store: http://www.ageofevil.com/Store.html
imeem: http://www.imeem.com/ageofevil
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aoemetal

Interview by Pat Prince